Chapter 309
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
Troop Reorganization
Translator : PolterGlast
The prisoner return signing ceremony had concluded, and the
day had finally come for us to advance into the new territory on the former Empire
side. In preparation for this day, I had dispatched an advance unit, held
meticulous meetings with Commander Weiss, and reorganized our military
forces.
And now, facing the advance, I had summoned the key military
personnel to the former Southern Gate Fortress, which was undergoing
reconstruction work.
「Everyone, I apologize for having you
take the trouble to come all the way here from your respective posts. Until
now, you've all been assigned to duties in relatively close locations, but
things will be different from here on. Therefore, I have gathered you here to
share information as a whole, unify our intentions, and resolve any questions.
Please consider this a place where free speech is permitted, so if there is
anything unclear, speak without hesitation.」
Greeting them like that at the beginning, I looked around at
everyone's faces one by one. Everyone had a fearless and confident expression.
「From today, our main force will
enter the new territory, the district named Izumo. We will be fully
occupied there for a while. Therefore, opportunities for meetings like this
will decrease, but I want those entrusted with the former Kingdom side to carry
out their duties solemnly. During that time, I will appoint our steward,
Miseri, as my proxy for decisions on this side, and have her stationed
here at the former Southern Gate Fortress for the time being. I intend
for basic matters to be resolved here.」
Yes, simultaneously with the start of the border barrier
gate construction, we heavily reconstructed the Southern Gate Fortress,
which would become a useless long object once the barrier gate was built. We
aim to turn it from a military base into a hub city connecting the two
territories: the north (former Kingdom territory) and the south (former Empire
territory).
「Ultimately, this fortress is planned
to be rebuilt as the gateway on the former Kingdom side, and as a city that
will serve as a gathering point for supplies bearing logistics, but until
preparations for the settlement in the Empire side are complete, it will be
used as a temporary stay location for the families accepted from the Empire and
the Imperial Kingdom. Regarding this, Miseri, do you have any
supplements?」
「Yes, depending on the development
status of Izumo and Kusanagi, we plan to proceed with migration
sequentially from around summer, but until then, this place will be the
temporary residence for many people. Once winter, the agricultural off-season,
arrives, we will gather laborers in earnest and transform it into its true form
as a city all at once. Until then, I hope those remaining on this side will
cooperate with recruiting laborers and such.」
「Then I'll get to the main topic.
Regarding the territory on the former Kingdom side, Gail will
concurrently serve as the Garrison Commander on the Kingdom side and the
Garrison Commander of the former Demon Territory Count's domain, Mars
will be entrusted with military authority over the former Margrave Hastburg
territory, Aral over the former Viscount Kyrias territory, and Danke
over the former Viscount Cornell territory, so I want you to exercise
your skills.」
Saying so, the four stood up and knelt.
「We four will undertake this task
staking our lives.」
「Yeah, it's fine to do it without
overexerting yourselves. Especially as newcomers to places other than the Demon
Territory Count's domain, I would be grateful if you made it your top
priority not to cause friction with the respective territory residents.」
「Yes, we will push forward so as not
to tarnish His Majesty the Archduke's name.」
Yeah... somehow the atmosphere is a bit stiff as I thought.
「Also... an important thing. I'll say
it again, but I haven't changed at all from the old days. I've gotten a strange
title attached to me, but I'm the same as when I was the Demon Territory
Count, when I was a Baron, and when I was running around the reception desk
and shooting range with everyone without rank or official position. I want
everyone to remember just that. I'm counting on you.」
Yes, since I started being called Archduke, a sense of
distance had somehow developed with everyone. The only ones who haven't changed
are my wives, the Commander, and Raphael...
「I have two more requests for the four remaining on the former
Kingdom side. The first is to raise subordinates to whom you can entrust your
current duties. If you think someone is promising in your respective lands,
please actively promote them. The second is a request to strengthen the
garrison army. You don't have to rush unreasonably, but eventually, when the
troops are enriched, I want you to lead the army and come to the new territory
on the Empire side.」
As I spoke, Miseri raised her hand again and began to
speak.
「The government office will also
dispatch officials to each region so that they can consult on budgets and such.
Also, Claire has reorganized the chain of command of the reception
desks, and has already constructed them in each region. So from me, I ask for
cooperation with that as well.」
「Eh? Claire, already?」
「Yes. Local hiring in each region is
also finished, and the training in Teigoon has been completed. All
that's left is to start moving. Fortunately, although it's strange to say,
following Takuhir-sama's measures, initiatives like shooting ranges,
user registration, and things close to tournaments are being held in each of
your territories.」
「Ah!」
「You had forgotten, hadn't you? There
were too many crucial matters, after all...」
Saying so, Claire chuckled.
「Sorry! I completely forgot.」
Due to my splendid forgetfulness, the place was enveloped in
laughter, and the slightly stiff atmosphere might have softened a bit. I had
completely forgotten about the supreme
tournament. It had been postponed since the last time, and had completely
slipped my mind.
What to do?
「Fortunately, the operation is
separate from the Marquis Solis territory. We can implement it on a
small scale, led by the reception desk, so as not to trouble you, but...」
I mean, calculating now, last year was the year for the next
joint supreme tournament... Uwaa, that's pretty bad...
「For now, we'll hold it this autumn.
So... Claire, can you manage it?」
「Understood. I will hastily resume
the regular tournaments aiming for summer, and if we issue notices at the
reception desks, I think it will be fine.」
「Please do!」
In the first place, it was something I wracked my brains to
think of to avoid the disaster at age twenty, so once that was over, I had
completely forgotten about it. I just have to pray that His Majesty and the
others have forgotten too...
I feel like I've set up an unnecessary flag, though...
「Sorry! The conversation went off
track, but Isaac, I will continue to entrust you with the command of the
armed vigilante corps within the former Demon Territory Count's domain,
so please keep at it. I pulled about 100 personnel into the army this time, but
while gradually replenishing them, can you cooperate and spread this system in
various places?」
「Yes, understood.」
「Gail and Mars have many subordinate soldiers, but Gail
has the guard of the defense facilities in the whole Demon Territory
area and the guard of the elevated road, and Mars has the guard of the
old border barrier gate and the Southern Gate fort. Therefore, the
burden is heavy, so please tackle it by cooperating with everyone.」
With this, I
think we have shared the military aspects on the Kyle Kingdom side.
◇ Former
Kingdom Side Garrison Army General Commander
Gail (Baron) Total Military Force: 4,700 (Garrison Soldiers +
Soldier-Settlers + Armed Vigilante Corps)
〈Each Garrison Army Commander〉
·
Former Demon Territory Count's
Domain: Gail (Concurrent) Total 2,600
o
Standing Soldiers + Concurrent
Soldiers 900
o
Aegis Soldier-Settlers (Former Imperial Soldiers) 700
o
Ishtar Soldier-Settlers (Former Imperial Kingdom) 1,000
·
Former Margrave's Domain: Mars (Baronet) 1,000
·
Former Viscount Kyrias's
Domain: Aral (Baronet) 400
·
Former Viscount Cornell's
Domain: Danke (Baronet) 200
·
Armed Vigilante Corps Commander: Isaac (Baronet) 500
※
「Then next, I would like to proceed
with the discussion about the Demon Territory Knights, the core of our main force. Commander, please.」
「The Demon Territory Knights
will change significantly from here on. First, allow me to introduce those who
will become commanders to everyone.」
Saying so, the Commander introduced them one by one. Vice
Commander Gord probably needs no particular explanation.
The other Vice Commander, Baron Heitz, was seconded
from the Royal Capital Knights at the time of the establishment of the Frontier
Knights and served as the commander of the first unit. With this
reorganization, 500 cavalry were dispatched from each of the Royal Capital
Knights, and adding the 500 cavalry supplied from various places in the
Kingdom, they were formed into one unit.
To be frank, since it will formally become a different
country, I figured there would be few nobles wishing to dispatch to my place,
and I myself thought they should prioritize other regions. These 500 cavalry
were dispatched by nobles who stubbornly insisted on sending them to my place
no matter what.
I mean, the ones who dispatched them were entirely the
family homes of the people who were Yuka's schoolmates, though...
From here on are the unit commanders leading 500 cavalry
respectively.
Haven had
previously been appointed as the commander of the second unit of the Frontier
Knights by Margrave Hastburg. Therefore, there is no problem with
the personnel selection or ability.
Arrogantz
was a strongman of the Gorman Army who, when I previously went to war
with the Imperial Kingdom, negotiated directly with the Commander,
saying, "Please definitely take me to the son-in-law's battlefield,"
and refused to back down, distinguishing himself on the battlefield as well.
There are no problems regarding Marquis Gorman's trust, ability, and
command capability either.
Shamon is a man
I met for the first time, but it seems he is a man my father employed as part
of the new territory management after the rebellion. It seems his ability is
quite high as well, but in the Ishtar battle, he apparently bared his
rivalry against Alexis and defied him, so my father sent him saying,
"Learn about the world!" Yeah, it might be a coincidence, but in
katakana English... if you add 'you' at the end... 'Sham(e)on-you', huh. He's quite an interesting man.
Eisen, Fellow,
Ferm, and Yaurun are all former Imperial Guard Iron Cavalry, and
apparently have interactions with Viscount Duroul (Baron at the time) of
the Empire. According to Masrur, they were the elite among elites even
in the Imperial (Empire) Army.
Thinking, 'Why such people?', I had Raymond interview
them too, but there were no problems at all regarding their personalities.
"We have thoughts regarding the methods of the Imperial Army, and
moreover, we must return the favor our compatriots received." Everyone
dutifully said such things in unison.
Somehow, doesn't it resemble the words Masrur said in
the past? I got that impression. Upon appointing them as commanders, I
appointed them to Knighthood, but needless to say, they were greatly surprised.
「Commander, it hasn't reached 10,000
cavalry yet, but I leave the Demon Territory Knights in your care.」
「Leave it to me. Now that you've
prepared this much, I'll thoroughly train them to a level that won't bring
shame wherever they are deployed.」
Ah! Did I... press a switch I shouldn't have? Gord
and Arrogantz, who know the Commander's harsh training, seem to have
their faces twitching...
Sorry!
◇ Demon
Territory Knights Commander:
Weiss (Viscount) 8,000 Cavalry
- Vice
Commander: Gord (Baron) | Demon Territory Knights + Former Frontier Knights + Falmus
Soldiers | Total 2,000 Cavalry
- Vice
Commander: Heitz (Baron) | Royal Capital Knights
+ Kingdom Dispatch Unit | Total
2,000 Cavalry
Directly under Headquarters
·
Relief Unit Commander Marianne
(Baronet)
·
Logistics Department Commander Wols
(Baronet)
·
Magic Combat Commander Lilia
(Baronet)
·
Engineer Unit Commander Astor
(Baronet)
〈Commanders〉
·
Haven (Baronet) From Frontier Knights 500 Cavalry
·
Arrogantz (Baronet) From Marquis Gorman 500 Cavalry
·
Shamon (Knight) From Marquis Solis 500 Cavalry
·
Aiyar (Knight) Former Viscount Kyrias Soldiers 500 Cavalry
·
Eisen (Knight) Former Imperial Army Iron Cavalry 500 Cavalry
·
Fellow (Knight) Former Imperial Army Iron Cavalry 500 Cavalry
·
Ferm (Knight) Former Imperial Army Iron Cavalry 500 Cavalry
·
Yaurun (Knight) Former Imperial Army Iron Cavalry 500 Cavalry
※
「In this reorganization, another
highlight is the Special Fire Corps led
by Christoph. All the longbow soldiers belonging here have been
reorganized as a standing army. Christoph, the overview.」
「Yes, first, the biggest feature is
that it is entirely composed of longbow soldiers, and furthermore, they are all
cavalry. The new territory is vast. Infantry cannot deploy in time, but cavalry
can rush as reinforcements quickly. And as dedicated personnel, in addition to Aura,
two former Imperial Kingdom Wind Mages have been assigned, and
now they too are devoting themselves to tactical proficiency training as Mages.」
「I also have great expectations for
this combination of 3,000 longbow soldiers and Wind Mages, so I'm
counting on you.」
「Yes, and regarding Lady Claire's talk from earlier, we also have an interesting proposal. I will
report it once things settle down.」
Saying so, Christoph grinned with a fearless face and
laughed. This is something... I have a fun premonition. I decided to look
forward to it for a later date for now.
◇ Special
Fire Corps Commander: Christoph (Baron) 3,000
Cavalry
·
Long Spear Unit: Christoph
Longbow Cavalry 1,000 Cavalry
·
Vice Commander: Glenn
(Baronet) Longbow Cavalry 1,000 Cavalry
·
Commander: Geese (Knight) Longbow Cavalry 500 Cavalry
·
Commander: Alan (Knight)
Longbow Cavalry 500 Cavalry
※
「For Alexis, I would
originally like him to wield command over the Viscounty territory in the new
territory, and in the near future, including the Viscount Solis
territory that became an enclave. But I want you to wait a little longer for
that. I apologize for now, but first I want you to pour your efforts into the
development of Izumo, promoting the settlement of the soldier-settlers,
and turning them into military force.」
「Yes, of course. By the way, about
how many personnel are scheduled to settle on the new territory side?」
「For the time being, 1,000 longbow
soldiers and 1,000 infantry from the former Imperial Kingdom, 2,000 Iron
Cavalry and 1,000 infantry from the former Empire,
maybe 5,000 in total. And their families, it's a rough estimate, but I think it
will take the form of entrusting about 10,000 people. For the time being, I
will have them engage in development works, though. Once the settlement settles
down, I also want to proceed with appointing standing soldiers from among them.」
Besides those entrusted to Alexis, I plan to have the
remaining 1,000 former Imperial Kingdom infantry settle in Ishtar,
and the 500 former Empire infantry in Aegis, lands with proven track records
respectively.
◇ Izumo
Soldier-Settler Corps Commander:
Alexis (Viscount) 5,000 Personnel
·
Longbow Soldier Reserve Unit 1,000
Personnel
·
Infantry Reserve Unit 1,000
Personnel (Former Imperial Kingdom Army Infantry)
·
Iron Cavalry Reserve Unit 2,000
Personnel
·
Infantry Reserve Unit 1,000
Personnel (Former Imperial Army Infantry)
※
「Masrur, utilizing the strength of being from the former Imperial (Empire) Army, I want you to become the connecting node linking us
and the territory residents of the new territory. This time, since we are
incorporating 400 Iron Cavalry and 500 infantry from the former Imperial (Empire) Army
into the standing army, I want to entrust them to you as the New Territory
Garrison Brigade.」
I wanted them to undertake patrols of the new territory in
general other than Izumo, maintenance of public order, and stabilization
of the people's hearts. Therefore, they are entirely composed of former
Imperial (Empire) Army personnel, and I expect them to respond while staying
close to the residents.
「To be honest, I know it's completely
unreliable on a scale of 900 people. Therefore, if possible, I want you to
strive to reinforce the troops through local hiring and the Imperial Immigrant
Liaison Council. Ultimately to a scale of about 2,000 to 2,500 people.」
「Does this include local residents?」
「Yeah. I want you to open the doors
to volunteers. Upon confirming their backgrounds just in case.」
I called them a brigade not because of the scale but from
the purpose. As a unit that can swiftly deploy and execute missions as needed
even in places away from the home base, it is premised on them being able to
move by horseback despite being infantry. Fortunately, the area spreading from
the old border to the Empire side has many pastures, so I read that we could
also replenish horses.
◇ New
Territory Garrison Brigade Commander:
Masrur (Baronet) 400 Iron Cavalry + 500 Infantry
「Raphael, I want to entrust you with two units as an espionage
corps. A unit that functions as an army, and a unit that blends into the
territory residents. I think your current subordinates are insufficient, so I
want you to lay a network centering on the new territory. I will have the
Minister of Internal Affairs allocate a budget for this. As the ostensible
army, 500 people; I want you to manage that.」
「Understood. Regarding that, I have a
request. First, the ostensible army, this is completely insufficient. Please
allow me to pull personnel from armies in various places, vigilante corps, and
laborers. Next, the network in the new territory; about how much budget can I
spend on this?」
「Regarding manpower, understood. I
hope the generals will also cooperate. The budget... for the first year, you
can use it as you like. However, we will decide the following year considering
the results and track record after half a year has passed; how about that?」
「Haha, gratefully. I will go all out
for the peace of the Dukedom, so Minister of Internal Affairs, please be
prepared. Also, Boss Gail, I will be pulling a fair amount of people
from the Demon Territory Count's domain. After all, I am a bandit.」
「Raphael, I will send human resources (treasurers) I have thoroughly
trained. You said 'go all out,' but it's no use if there's a hole in the safe.」
「True, it hurts but it can't be
helped. Outside the old territory, there are still few trustworthy guys with a
sharp eye. This time, I guess I'll just have to let myself be outsmarted by a
bandit.」
◇ Espionage
Department Commander: Raphael (Baron) 500 Regular
Army + Non-Regular Army (Undecided)
「Lastly, Kira, as Acting
Commander of the Mercenary Corps, I want you to deploy 100 personnel to Teigoon,
100 to Aegis, and 100 to the new territory. Eventually, on the premise
that 100 will move to the old territory and 200 to the territory owned by the
Commander in the new territory.」
「Understood.」
If possible, I wanted to move the entire Mercenary Corps to
the new territory, but there is also the unit exclusively for the Demon
Territory composed of former hunters, and I want to leave minimum military
force for the stability of Teigoon as well. Therefore, consulting with
the Commander for now, I decided to have them deploy in three directions for
the time being.
◇ Double-Headed
Hawk Mercenary Corps: Commander
Weiss (Viscount) Total 800 Personnel
Acting (Vice Commander) Kira (Baronet)
·
Seconded to Demon Territory
Knights 500 Personnel
·
Stationed in Teigoon 100
Personnel
·
Stationed in Aegis 100
Personnel
·
Stationed in New Territory 100
Personnel
This is the full picture of what can be deployed as direct
military forces now.
- In
the territory on the Kyle Kingdom side, a total of 4,900 personnel and
1,700 reserve force.
- Deployed
to the new territory side, a total of 12,100 personnel and 5,000 reserve
force.
「The total military force is about
24,000 personnel, adding the armies of Marquises Gorman and Solis,
and Viscounts Bold and Kreitz to this... About 27,000 personnel,
huh... It's making my senses a little skewed.」
Yes, just 5 years ago, the military force at the time was
about 350 personnel, and even including the vigilante corps, it was only 850
personnel. Even 1 year ago, it was 5,400 personnel including the armed
vigilante corps. Well, it had multiplied by 6 even in those 4 years, but...
Multiplying by another 4 in 1 year, thinking about it calmly, it's terrifying
for the future.
But this... reminds me of something from a certain history.
At the end of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, during the Oshu
Pacification, doesn't this resemble Kimura Yoshikiyo, who suddenly rose
from around 10,000 koku to 300,000 koku, but couldn't manage the territory and
is said to have quickly fallen into ruin? And to top it all off, a situation
where an unguarded Date Masamune (Sieghart) is right behind me...
Thinking that, I sighed anew at the precariousness of my
current position. Well, the opponent is not a dragon but a fox, though...
From here on, I do not have the two cheats: historical
knowledge and the history of the Viscount Solis domain. Regarding the
history book, after passing the day I was executed in the previous history,
when I looked at it anew very recently, for some reason all the pages had
become completely white.
As if indicating that my future, starting from here, is a
blank slate... As for my remaining modern knowledge, just the experience of a commoner
and information solely from light novels—how far will that kind of superficial
knowledge get me...
Feeling a little terrified of the future ahead, I
nevertheless had to resolve myself to move forward.
(Reference)
◆ Former Margrave Hastburg Soldiers
- Former
Frontier Knights Order: 500 personnel
- Southern
Front Participating Units: 1,000 personnel
- Former
Stay-behind Units: 500 personnel
Total: 2,000 personnel
- 1,000
incorporated into the Demon Territory Knights Order
- 1,000
to the Former Margrave Domain Garrison Units (Note: 3,200 Frontier
Knights and 1,000 Margrave Army soldiers relocated with the older
brother.)
◆ Former Viscount Kirias Soldiers
- Former
Frontier Knights Order: 200 personnel
- Southern
Front Participating Units: 320 personnel (*Initial defectors)
- Former
Stay-behind Units: 300 personnel
- Final
Joiners: 80 personnel
Total: 900 personnel
- 500
to the Demon Territory Knights Order
- 400
to the Former Viscount Domain Garrison Units
◆ Former Viscount Cornell Soldiers
- Demon
Territory Knights Order: 150 personnel
- Former
Stay-behind Units: 100 personnel
- Newly
Employed: 150 personnel
Total: 400 personnel
- 200
to the Demon Territory Knights Order
- 200
to the Former Viscount Domain Garrison Units (Note: 400 Viscount
Soldiers relocated to the new Count domain.)
◆ Former Istoria Imperial Kingdom
Soldiers
- Longbow
Soldiers: 2,000 personnel
- New
Longbow Soldiers: 3,000 personnel
- New
Infantry: 1,000 personnel
Total: 6,000 personnel
- 2,000
to the Special Firepower Corps (Longbow Soldiers)
- 1,000
to the Special Firepower Corps Long Spearman Unit (Longbow Soldiers)
- 3,000
to Soldier-Farmers (Infantry + Longbow Soldiers)
◆ Former Grifonia Imperial Soldiers
- Soldier-Farmers:
200 personnel
- Iron
Cavalry: 4,000 personnel
- Infantry:
2,000 personnel
Total: 6,200 personnel
- 2,000
to the Demon Territory Knights Order (Iron Cavalry)
- 500
to the New Territory Garrison Brigade (Iron Cavalry)
- 500
to the New Territory Garrison Brigade (Infantry)
- 3,200
to Soldier-Farmers (Infantry + Iron Cavalry)
◆ Former Demon Territory Count Domain
Army
- Standing
Soldiers Garrisoned in Various Places: 400 → 450 personnel
- Part-time
Soldiers Garrisoned in Various Places: 400 → 450 personnel
- Mercenary
Band: 200 → 300 personnel
Total: 1,200 personnel (Increase of 200)
◆ Demon Territory Knights Order
- Former
Demon Territory Count Soldiers: 450 → 500 personnel
- Mercenary
Band: 500 personnel
- Marquis
Goman Soldiers: 300 → 400 personnel
- Marquis
Solis Soldiers: 300 → 400 personnel
- Seconded
Count Cornell Soldiers: 150 → 200 personnel
- Seconded
Royal Capital Knights Order: 300 → 1,500 personnel
- Former Margrave Army: → 1,000
personnel
- Former Kirias Army: → 500
personnel
- Iron Cavalry:
→ 2,000 personnel
- Provided by Kingdom Nobles: → 500
personnel
Total: 8,000 personnel (Increase of 6,000)
◆ Special Firepower Corps
- Longbow
Soldiers: → 2,000 personnel
- Special
Unit (Longbow Soldiers): → 1,000 personnel
Total: 3,000 personnel (Increase of 1,000)
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